by Jaylieca Cunanan & Ayen Llamada
Strengthening the campaign for proper behavior among PSDians, the Office of the Student Affairs (OSA) hosted a two-day seminar entitled Days-cipline given to students and teachers on August 2 and 4, respectively.
The student seminar aimed at teaching how habits stem from the little things since the formative years of life. Jonathan Hubilla, guidance counselor of Saint Joseph Catholic School, of Metro Manila, Philippines served as the resource speaker.
“The formation of habits has four components: attitude (thinking before acting), management (knowing one’s priorities), accountability (taking responsibility for one’s actions), and legacy (knowing how one would like to be remembered), Hubilla reiterated.
He also mentioned how these habits are not only in the hands of the students, but also in the care of the parents and teachers. As Mr. Hubilla emphasized, “All the things we do always carry a consequence”.
With that said, on day 2, Dr. Wendell C. Cabrera from the Department of Education was invited to deliver a lecture to teachers on honesty and integrity. Dr. Cabrera quoted Henry Brooks Adam, “a teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops”. This started his discussion on how teachers should be good models of honesty and integrity.
Dr. Cabrera then proceeded to discuss the roots of cheating: (1) rationalizing cheating (“cheating is better than repeating” mindset), (2) developmental stage tendencies (adventurous adolescents want to try cheating), (3) technological access (technology have become an enabler of cheating), and (4) grades over learning system (more of teaching the subject, than teaching the students). After listing the root causes of cheating, he proceeded with ways on how to prevent cheating in school: (1) build a character, not a pressure cooker, (2) watch the words one says; as a teacher, words can be powerful, (3) emphasize empowerment in class, and (4) teach children how to think, not what to think. He also gave light to cultivating a culture of integrity in the classroom.
Furthermore, educating a child requires the involvement of a whole school. Dr. Cabrera stressed,
“It is everyone’s responsibility to grow a child with discipline, inspire honesty, then we have to involve the different stakeholders in our school system”.
Mrs. Myla P. Cula concluded the discipline week with an appreciation for the people who came and shared their insights: to her partners and aides to make the event possible. The event was held in coordination with the leadership of Melissa Montayre, Vice Principal of OSA, and was supported by the Vice Principals and faculty from the different departments. Peace Envoy Enya Lardizabal acted as its master of ceremony.